Foreign Visitor

After a long while I got to photograph a European Starling. He was part of a large group of blackbirds, funny thing that he was the only one of his king. All other were Cowbirds and Red-winged Blackbirds. I guess he must have join them not to be flying alone.

It is common for blackbirds to fly in mixed groups.

I’ve noticed that Starlings are very shy birds and they get spooked very easily.

Anyway, it good to see variety of species even if is only one bird.

European Starling

 

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Another Dead Birds Mystery – (Solved)

When hundreds of dead birds were found Monday in Yankton, South Dakota, many residents were puzzled, thinking it was the latest in a string of similar mysterious mass animal deaths around the world. But this is one instance of the many where a clear cause has been identified, as the U.S. government claims responsibility for killing the more than 200 starlings.

It was initially believed that cold weather may have caused the bird deaths, but then Yankton police received a call from the USDA, attesting that they had poisoned the birds at a feedlot 10 miles away, KTIV reports. Apparently, some 5,000 of the birds were defecating in the feed meal, posing a threat to the animals and farm workers, when the USDA decided killing them would be the best action to take.

A bait laced with the poison DRC-1339 was used, though officials were surprised the birds made it so far before dying. They assure that the poisoned dead birds do not pose a risk to nearby animals or humans.

 

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Good old Towhees!

Eastern Towhees, our good old friends are running around  my backyard and have built their nest deep in the bushes by the creek.

These birds are very independent, mind their own business and I have never seen them fight or eat from the feeder.

They eat exclusively on the ground, they love to hop around lifting their long tail flashing the white feathers of the under-tail.

As you most likely know the Eastern Towhee has black body and the female is brown.

They are good looking birds. very shy and usually avoid confrontations, they rather retreat peacefully. Peace Bro’ !

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Will I get any new species this year?

Brown-headed Cowbird - (F)

I see more of the Brown-headed Cowbirds hanging on the feeders lately, these birds are voracious eaters. You heard that from me before, last year they emptied my feeders in just a few hours, leaving nothing for the rest. I just hope that’s not the case this year.

I’m waiting to see more and different species soon, it’s very exciting when you see new species.. I feel privileged and very proud. Let’s see what happen this year!

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